The long-awaited official reintroduction of beavers to Glen Affric has finally received a green light from NatureScot, much to the delight of Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and Trees for Life. The historic event, which has been in the works since 2022, marks the first time in four centuries that beavers will return to their native habitat in Scotland.
After months of delays, FLS and Trees for Life have successfully secured a licence from NatureScot to release a family of beavers into the northwest Highlands. The decision was made following extensive consultations with local communities over a period of two years and three phases.
The beavers will be translocated from unsuitable farmland in other parts of Scotland, where they would have otherwise faced culling. They will be released into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin, a National Nature Reserve owned by FLS, above Beinn A’ Mheadhoin Dam in Glen Affric, potentially as soon as this autumn.
Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life’s Head of Nature Restoration, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, stating, “This successful result for FLS’s well-considered licence application to reintroduce beavers to this famous glen is a positive step from Scotland’s biggest public landowner. FLS should be congratulated for its hard work and for showing leadership as a government agency.”
Furthermore, Trees for Life has appointed a dedicated Beaver Management Officer to work closely with the local community to ensure that any issues related to the reintroduction are effectively managed. As McDonnell explains, “Going forwards, Trees for Life’s dedicated Beaver Management Officer will be there to engage with the whole community, offering practical support to ensure that local people can enjoy and benefit from beavers being brought back to Affric, with any localised issues well-managed.”
The reintroduction of beavers to Glen Affric is expected to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem, as beavers create wetlands that benefit other wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide, purify water, and reduce flooding. Additionally, the presence of beavers can bring economic benefits to the community through eco-tourism.
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